Houston Area TIPMAPS Coalition Meeting

30. January 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: News · Tags: , , ,

Did you know that school Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a proven method that provides long-term management of pest problems with minimal impact on human health, the environment and non-target organisms. Utilizing proven monitoring, record keeping, maintenance, and clean-building practices, IPM can reduce the amount of pest complaints by 71 to 93% with no long-term increase in costs (Green and Gouge 2008).
What is School IPM?
A verifiable School IPM program requires:

  • Pest managers understanding pests and pest biology.
  • Careful inspection and monitoring for pest presence and pest-conducive conditions in school facilities.
  • Pest prevention through effective education, sanitation and facility maintenance.
  • Pesticide use only when non-chemical measures are inadequate.
  • When needed, pesticide products can be selected that minimize toxicity and potential for exposure (Green and Gouge 2008). Under certain state laws, schools may be required to post time sensitive parental notifications before pesticide applications (Owens 2010).
  • IPM strategies include:
  • Identification of pest problems and pest-conducive conditions, through monitoring and inspection.
  • Education of building community on pest biology and IPM.
  • Improved sanitation standards (very important for both pest and allergen reduction).
  • Pest-proofing pest entry points.
  • Remediation of the fundamental reason why pests are present.
  • Use of low-risk pesticides only when needed.

This meeting is open to all school IPM coordinators, pest management professionals, regulatory officials and others interested in integrated pest management for schools. Texas AgriLife Extension, Houston ISD, and the Texas Integrated Pest Management Affiliate Public Schools (TIPMAPS) will host this round table discussion.

Topics for the round table discussion, how to integrate your IPM program into the Ag Science and school garden programs, engaging parents as volunteers (first steps), dealing with pesky pest problems (crazy ants, birds, wildlife, etc.), and what you should expect when TDA calls.

Prior to this meeting please review the attached documents and bring a copy as well.

Agenda and lunch is still to be determined, but book your spot now so if I can find a lunch provider I will know you are attending.

1 hour school IPM TDA SPCS credit request is pending.

Where: Houston ISD – Operations Facility (old elementary school) Cafetorium, 1417 Houston Ave., Houston, TX
When: February 22, 2012 10:30 AM to 1:30 AM (appx)
Why: To re energize the Houston area TIPMAPS group.
NO COST to you or your district
Please, please register everyone online, this will help me with an accurate head count for lunch.

Register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu  
Keyword Search: Coalition

Certification Year One winds down for school IPM coordinators

21. December 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: News · Tags: , ,

One of the big changes to school IPM rules during the last legislative session was to expand education requirements for IPM Coordinators (the individual in each Texas school district responsible for overseeing pest control and ensuring the district complies with state regs).  Beginning last January, every IPMC is responsible to obtain six hours of CEUs every three years (See the Administrative Code Rule 7.150 (b)(2)).

The problem is that after a year of the rule we still don’t know precisely what qualifies for continuing education units.  Let’s review what we do know:

  • Anyone who began duties as an IPM Coordinator for a public school district on or before January 1, 2011 will have until December 31, 2013 to obtain six (6) hours of CEUs.

What we don’t know for sure is what exactly qualifies as those appropriate CEUs.  The Structural Pest Control Advisory Committee argued quite strenuously about this topic about a year ago, and some general guidance from that discussion will be used as the basis of whatever rules are drafted in the next few months.  The committee suggestions were:

  • One of the six CEUs must be in laws and regulations specific to IPM Programs in Schools.  The remaining five credits can be obtained by doing one of the following:
  • Attending one of the TDA-approved training courses for IPM Coordinators (this would be the same 6-hour course taken within the first six months of appointment)
  • Attending any five hours of TDA-approved pesticide CEU training in areas relevant to a school IPM coordinator’s duties (e.g., Pest, L&O, Weed control, or General IPM). These CEU classes are pretty commonly available around the state.
  • Attend classes not approved by TDA as long as you send information into the agency and get the class approved within 30 days (see Section 7.135(g) of the Administrative Code for details)

The committee wanted the CEU requirement to be as easy to obtain as possible, but I’m not convinced that we didn’t make it too easy.  Specifically, I think coordinators need more than one hour of school IPM rules-specific training every three years. Of course training in herbicide selection, or termite identification or  cockroach biology is valuable for someone in charge of a school pest control program; but ultimately a coordinator’s job is administrative, and much or most of it has to do with knowing the laws and regulations inside and out. For schools who contract out pest control, the coordinator may be the only person in the district keeping outside applicators square with the law.

 

And these laws and regulations are not especially simple to learn. I find myself learning new things every year when I teach the class; so I’m skeptical that one hour every three years is going to do much to keep coordinators at the top of their game.

 

I know many of you know this. My proof is the number of repeat attenders we see in the introductory school IPM coordinator training classes I teach each year with Janet Hurley. And my sole consolation is that I know many of you will go the extra mile and get those extra school IPM dedicated classes, regardless of whether you have to.  I’m more worried about the folks who haven’t had a refresher course in 5-10 years, and don’t see a reason to do so.

The trouble is that the clock is ticking on these CEU requirements.  One year is passed and we still don’t absolutely know what criteria will be used to fulfill the six CEU requirement.  So if you’re a Texas IPM coordinator, keep alert for the proposed new regulations. If you have an opinion about the CEU requirements, please let them be known at that time.  And if you think I’m crazy to want tougher requirements, that’s OK. But let’s think these things through and have a good debate.

 

Michael E. Merchant, PhD, BCE

Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

17360 Coit Rd., Dallas, TX  75252-6599

972-952-9204  email: m-merchant@tamu.edu

Blog for professionals: http://insectsinthecity.blogspot.com

Website: http://citybugs.tamu.edu

The power of appreciation via Plano ISD

21. December 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: News · Tags: , ,

What do you look for when you hire a new person for a pest control technician’s position? Experience with pest control? Dependability? Good driving record? How about the ability to value other people?

I’m just an entomologist, not a psychologist; but even an entomologist can recognize the power of an appreciative word. And as an integrated pest management (IPM) specialist, I’ve come to value people who can build a loyal IPM team.

In its most basic form IPM is about people. This is true on all levels, but especially for IPM programs within large institutions that require the cooperation of many departments and individuals. If you look at dysfunctional IPM programs (yes, they exist) one of the first things you notice is a lack of appreciation for the jobs and accomplishments of others in the organization. The best programs, on the other hand, have leaders who are able to value and recognize the contributions of others.

I was reminded of this yesterday sitting in on a simple ceremony in the staff kitchen of Memorial Elementary School in Plano, TX. David Lewis and Leo Largaespada, IPM Coordinator and IPM technician, respectively, for the Plano Independent School District (PISD), invited me to attend an appreciation lunch for one of their top kitchen teams in the district. The lunch was a simple affair, but illustrated powerfully a principle that often gets overlooked in our fancy ideas about what IPM is all about.

The most powerful words in IPM tool box may well be, “we appreciate you”. And WE appreciate all of our readers as well, Mike and Janet

 

Praise for another successful Statewide School IPM Coordinators Conference

22. November 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: News · Tags: , ,

I would first like to thank all the individuals who gave their time to speak at the conference, I know for some of you, this took you away from your home and family, and we appreciate it.  Second I would like to thank TASBO for their support of this conference, we really could not have done it without you.  To the TIPMAPS Board – you all deserve a “round of applause” thank you for helping with obtaining door prize items; speaking, helping with set up and making sure sign in sheets were completed.  Finally, thank you all who attended this workshop, we had a small group (132) but you were all engaged.  All the talks have been posted to the TASBO website.  Click here to be directed to that page, you will also find the Deep Cleaning Document, the scored inspection sheet and the asthma rubric to help you navigate IAQ and IPM.

For those of you who could not make it or were not aware of this conference – start planning now!  The Facility Masters Group will be meeting with TIPMAPS to determine the date and location of the conference next year.  Know this, the Statewide School IPM Coordinators Conference is here to stay, so if you need CEU credit or really want to make your IPM program successful, this is the conference for you, budget for it.

If you are not a TIPMAPS member, please contact or download a membership form from www.tipmaps.org :

Paul Duerre, CIE – President TIPMAPS

Environmental Specialist, Killeen ISD

O 254-336-0071

C 254-681-0442

Paul.Duerre@killeenisd.org

 

John Gann RTSBA, CPSI, ATEM – Vice President TIPMAPS

Director of Maintenance, Keller ISD

O-817-744-3958

C-817-456-4201

John.Gann@kellerisd.net

 

Charles “C G” Cezeaux, RTSBA – Treasurer TIPMAPS

Director of Operations, Spring ISD

O 281-891-6425

C 713-594-0217

charlesc@springisd.org

 

A.J. Clinton – Secretary TIPMAPS

Maintenance Director, Springtown ISD

O 817-523-7375

C 817-980-7014

AClinton@springtownisd.net

 

Here is some of what you missed at the conference

Dr. Tom Green explains to the crowd about dirty floor drains and how they affect an IPM program.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Green presents Katy ISD with their IPM Star Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring ISD receives their IPM Star award and Dr. Green loved their green IPM shirts as well!

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Myers, Klein ISD receives the plaque for their IPM Star Award.   All three schools will also receive certificates and recognition in front of their school board later this year.

Finally, if you did attend the conference – please see this message from TASBO

It was so good to see you this year at the 2011 TASBO IPM and TIPMAPS Conference!  In our efforts to improve TASBO training events, please take a few minutes to complete a brief evaluation by clicking here.   Your feedback is very important to us.

 

CEU Credit Info

You qualify for 10 TASBO (TASBO certified) and/or 6 hours of TDA CEU credits if you attended the Wednesday and Thursday sessions.  The TASBO CEU form has been attached for your records (contact me if you need this form).  If you are TASBO certified this will automatically be posted to your transcript, there is no need to return this form. If you have not gotten your TDA Certificate, please e-mail mikkit@tasbo.org.

If you did not attend all sessions and your hours need to be adjusted, please contact Brandy Garner at brandy@tasbo.org or call 512-462-1711 ext. 228.  You should have already received your CEU forms for the course you attended.  If you have not, please contact Linda Dufault at lindad@tasbo.org or call 512-462-1711 ext. 218.

If you attended both conferences, you will receive a separate evaluation for the M&O conference.  Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope to see you at our next TASBO event.

Thanks,

Mikki Teneyuca

Training Coordinator

TASBO

512-462-1711 ext. 226

mikkit@tasbo.org

 

2011 Statewide School IPM Coordinators Conference slated for Nov. 16-17 in San Marcos

13. October 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Document Sharing, Joining TIPMAPS

The 2011 Statewide School IPM Coordinators Conference, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Association of School Business Officials joint venture, is slated for Nov. 16-17 at the Embassy Suites, 1001 East McCarty Lane, San Marcos.

The first day’s activities will run from 1-6 p.m. while the second day’s program will be from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“This conference is geared toward public school integrated pest management coordinators or maintenance/operations directors, but we’re encouraging anyone with an interest in protecting people and the environment to participate,” said Janet Hurley, a conference planner and AgriLife Extension program specialist for school integrated pest management at Dallas. “More and more pest management professionals are practicing the environmentally responsible methods integrated pest management offers with its limited use of pesticides as a way to protect students, teachers, staff and the environment.”

Hurley said speakers from school districts across the state will present many of the talks, which will range from pests as carriers of  disease in the classroom to keeping pests out of dirty floor drains and what to do when undesirable insects invade a school campus.

“A major conference highlight will be the recognition of three Houston area independent school districts, Katy, Klein and Spring, as IPM Star Schools,”

Hurley said. “Gaining this honor is no easy feat, because it really takes commitment on the part of everyone in the school district to make this achievement happen. It’s quite an honor.

“Dr. Tom Green our keynote speaker, will present the awards to the schools,” she said. “Green, president of the IPM Institute of North America, Inc. in Madison, WI, has dedicated his career to helping to improve health, the environment and economics through integrated pest management. Along with making the presentations to the schools, he’ll be speaking on ways to take integrated pest management programs to a higher level.”

Other conference topics will address monitoring programs, indoor air quality, conducting integrated pest management inspections, engaging parents and the community in integrated pest management programs, green turf management, termites, and the top 10 mistakes schools make during a Texas Department of Agriculture inspection.

Texas Association of School Business Officials members are encouraged to attend their association’s meeting, which is also at Embassy Suites, beginning Nov. 15 just prior to the IPM coordinators conference. Registration for that event is $175 per person.

Individual registration for the 2011 Statewide School IPM Coordinators Conference is $125. Individual registration for both events is $280.

For more information and to register, contact Hurley at 877-747-6872 or 972-952-9213, ja-hurley@tamu.edu  .

For more information on integrated pest management in schools see, https://schoolipm.tamu.edu.

 

Welcome to TIPMAPS

09. October 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: Document Sharing · Tags: , , ,

Welcome to the First professional association for IPM Coordinators. TIPMAPS is Texas Integrated Pest Management Affiliate for Public Schools. The affiliate means we are associated with the Texas Association of School Business Officials. However, unlike other affiliate chapters within TASBO you can be just a member of TIPMAPS and not have to be a full member of TASBO. Only officers are required to be TASBO members and that is at the President and Vice-President level.

This group was developed for school IPM coordinators to network amongst themselves. Texas AgriLife Extension Service serves as mentor to this group to offer support for organizing and educating their members.

Professional groups offer a way for workers to network among others in order to learn from one another. Texas IPM Coordinators hold a variety of positions in their respective school district and each district allows for many opportunities to ‘deal’ with pests. IPM is often referred to people management. However, people management is not an easy task to learn. TIPMAPS allows its members to determine what is the best way to network with their peers.

Each year TIPMAPS, TASBO, TDA, and AgriLife Extension offer a day and half long conference. This statewide conference allows IPM coordinators and pest management professionals obtain continuing education credit. At this conference is the annual membership meeting.

The annual membership meeting allows members to vote for officers, network to form regional meeting groups, discuss further training opportunities and much more. Becoming a board member is really simple, find a current board member to find out how. Membership into this group is what YOU make of it.

TIPMAPS also allows retirees a chance to lend their expertise and experience to help. If you are interested in help or need assistance with your IPM program. Contact Janet Hurley, ja-hurley@tamu.edu to find a mentor near you. If you are a retiree and want to help, please remember to keep your information current with the Board Treasure.

History of IPM in Schools in Texas

16. April 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Joining TIPMAPS · Tags:

In 1981, the Chillicothe Independent School District (ISD) was forced to close its doors for four weeks because students experienced adverse reactions to chemicals sprayed to control an ongoing head lice infestation (Wichita Falls Times April 27, 1981).  Lindane and toxaphene, two potent agricultural insecticides not approved for such use, were applied by unlicensed persons. Students reportedly suffered rashes, headaches, and nausea after the application.  In order to avoid a repeat of the Chillicothe problem, State Representative John Hirshi of Wichita Falls submitted House Bill 2751 during the 72nd legislative session in 1991. The Texas Legislature passed HB 2751 requiring all Texas school districts to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. In 2007, the 79th Legislature passed additional rules solidifying that school IPM stay in Texas.   Schools now must have an entire IPM program which does not involved routine pesticides sprays, training for teachers and staff, and using regulated pesticides for target pests.

Since September 1, 1995, all school districts in Texas have been required to use integrated pest management (IPM) practices.   The Texas Department of Agriculture Structural Pest Control Services defines integrated pest management as: A pest management strategy that relies on accurate identification and scientific knowledge of target pests, reliable monitoring methods to assess pest presence, thresholds to determine when pesticides are needed, and both preventative and corrective control measures.  Under IPM, whenever economical and practical, multiple control tactics should be used to achieve best control of pests.  These tactics will possibly include, but are not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides.

**Depending on the size of your school district you may have more than one Coordinator. The Coordinator is generally appointed by the Superintendent and is the contact person for pest sightings or complaints about pesticide use. This person also ensures that advance notice of pesticide treatments is posted in the area that is to be treated. For more information regarding this policy please contract your local coordinator for more information

What is IPM?

10. April 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Document Sharing

Prepared by Texas AgriLife Extension Southwest Technical Resource Center for IPM Schools and Child Care Facilities.

Joining TIPMAPS?

13. February 2010 · 1 comment · Categories: Joining TIPMAPS
On Behalf of the Executive Board Welcome to TIPMAPS!

I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to join TIPMAPS. With the success of our first symposium where over 200 IPM’ers representing 115 districts met it is clear our organization is off to a great start. We now need to sign up members to join together and discuss issues relevant to our goal of the best IPM program in the nation. We are already being recognized by AgriLife Extension and TDA as a viable group with important opinions. We are in the process of establishing a Web site (www.tipmaps.org) to share information across the state and provide educational opportunities for everyone regardless of the size of the district. This just the start of the benefits of membership as we grow and find out what you the members want, we as an organization will respond.

Membership Form (PDF)

Sincerely,

Tom Ohm–President